Fostex PD-6-DV40 User Manual
PD-6
PORTABLE LOCATION RECORDER
DV40
DVD MASTER RECORDER
D
™
Having been a leading pioneer in the field of
professional digital audio for over 16 years, it seemed
only natural that Fostex, the inventors of timecode
DAT and portable timecode DAT, should start the next
revolution in digital recording - Timecode DVD-RAM.
REMOVABLE DVD-RAM & RECORDING FORMATS
Fostex chose DVD-RAM as the most suitable
successor to DAT after extensive research and
testing. DVD-RAM has excellent reliability and has
already established itself as the film industry’s
preferred media format due to its built-in error
correction and longevity. This security is enhanced by
the Fostex’s proprietory ‘Verify/Write’ technology
which constantly examines the recorded data being
stored on DVD-RAM, in real-time, for error-free
recording. Plus, ensuring compatibility throughout the
industry and maximising the DVD-RAM technology,
the DV40 and PD-6 can record multiple channels of
simultaneous audio (4 with the DV40 and no less than
6 with the PD-6), in a vast number of permutations
and in BWF (PD-6 and DV40) or SDII (DV40 only)
formats.
IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN
With the superb audio quality, up to 24-bit / 192kHz
1
available, the flexible and comprehensive timecode
facilities and the sheer usability of both machines
means that the PD-6 and DV40 are not just class
leaders, they’re in a class of their own.
Removable media revolution
UNIVERSAL DISC FORMAT
As the UDF (Universal Disc Format) is utilized, discs
can be read by any computer OS (Windows, Mac,
etc.) which makes for easy transfer of audio files to
and from the recorders for external editing.
UdF
File Format
TIMECODE DVD-RAM RECORDING
DVD
Sound Mixer Chris Munro pioneered and developed the ‘magless
dailies’ concept, originally with the Fostex PD-4 timecode DAT, and has
refined it with the use of Fostex's DVD-RAM products. In fact, Chris was
honoured with the Charles Parkhouse Award for his work in this area of
production sound. The day’s audio can be loaded into a non-linear editor
such as Avid Film Composer
2
complete with all the automaticallygenerated scene, take, reel information and more in just a couple of
minutes for each hour of audio directly from the DV40 or PD-6’s DVDRAM disc, with no additional software! After syncing to picture, an
export to another DVD-RAM disc produces the 'daily disc'. The editor
gets all his labelling done for him by the acquisition machine, along
with a guide audio track; the production team watch rushes in original
digital audio; and most importantly, the production saves tens of
thousands of dollars in no longer having to use (and store!) expensive
mag stock, while wiping off hours from the whole post process.
‘Magless Dailies’
DVD Master Recorder
DV40
DVD Location Recorder
PD-6
PD-6
ON SET
Audio acquisition direct to DVD-RAM in
BWF. Scene, slate, take, reel &
timecode automatically stamped to
each file/take.
EDIT SUITE
Fast import of the day's audio files, direct
from DVD-RAM, into Avid Film Composer. All
takes already automatically labelled. After
sync to picture, quick export of the audio track
to the DVD-RAM 'daily disc'.
No real-time batch digitizing of audio into editor - save time
No expensive making of mag stock for daily rushes - save money
SCREENING ROOM
'Dailies disc' can be played on a DV40
synced to the screening room's
projector with instant lock and hi-
speed playback features as standard.
D
No need to covert or
batch digitize audio
TIME & BUDGET
SAVING
D
No need to make
mag stock
TIME & BUDGET
SAVING
ALL STANDARD REFERENCES
All the standard clock references of word
and video are included with the ability to
resolve to incoming timecode.
Sync
word & video
FLEXIBLE RECORDING
The DV40 and PD-6 are capable of
recording up to 24bit audio depending
on recording mode used.
24
bit
Audio quality
1
192kHz available on DV40 only
2
Dependent on version
PROFESSIONAL
DVD-RAM is robust, resilient, removable and has a longevity
that a hard disc simply cannot offer. Quite simply it is the
best professional mastering recording format available, as
the rapid take up in the film industry shows.
However, the DVD-RAM technology needed a serious research
and development process before it could handle the rigours and
demands of multiple track, timecode-locked audio.
And that’s exactly what Fostex undertook when developing the DV40, the world’s first 4-
track Timecode DVD-RAM master recorder.
REFINING THE TECHNOLOGY - CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT
The DV40 was, and is, a revelation. Here is a rackmount unit which can record up to 4
tracks of digital audio to removable DVD-RAM UDF discs in either BWF or SDII formats
and with full timecode facilities. A machine which elegantly addresses the challenges
presented by today’s ‘random access’ requirements.
The reaction from sound mixers, post production facilities, broadcast professionals and
recording houses was outstanding: they could see that the DV40 could save them time,
could enhance their workflow, could improve their productivity.
But that was only the start - from the moment of launch, Fostex made it clear that the
DV40 would benefit from continual development with users encouraged to request
features and suggest improvements resulting in software updates being made available
via the www.fostexdvd.net web site.
PORTABLE TIMECODE DVD-RAM
With the DVD-RAM technology ‘proved’ in a standalone machine, it was time for a
portable solution. A PD-2 / PD-4 user survey and wide-ranging feedback from DV40
users yielded a wish list of features which included: Six audio tracks, highly accurate
timecode, a minimum 10 second pre-record buffer, flexible power requirements and
management, slate microphone, auxiliary send / return, power for mic receivers, a high
quality mixer and a user interface in keeping with their existing DAT recorders.
Fostex listened to what the sound mixers wanted and involved them in the development
process every step of the way.
The result is the PD-6 Location Recorder.
Format of choice.
Format of the future.
DVD-RAM
D
™
Fostex Timecode DVD-RAM
recorders are currently being used
in major film, TV and post production
applications in the USA, Europe and
beyond. Fostex actively encourages
user feedback and continually
develops the products incorporating
new features and enhancing
usability...
In Action...
Chris Munro - Sound Mixer
One of the world’s leading
Production Sound Mixers and a
BAFTA and Oscar™ award winner,
Chris used Fostex Timecode DVDRAM technology for audio acquisition
on the latest James Bond hit ‘Die
Another Day’. Chris has
pioneered the ‘magless dailies’
process, (see bottom left),
which saved the production a
small fortune.
Always in demand, Chris is
recognised as setting quality
standards in the film industry.
Movie Production
Joe Kenworthy - NYPD Blue
Sound mixer Joe uses Fostex
Timecode DVD-RAM machines for
audio acquisition on the everpopular NYPD Blue TV series. “The
big thing for me is that I get a digital
file from the beginning, and all our
digital editing machines can
take those files and begin to
work, with less transfer time.
We are using a first-generation
signal all the way through the
chain, which keeps quality high,
and it’s quicker, with no
conversions involved.”
TV Production
Jay Hartigan - Shooters Post
Jay has been a production sound
mixer for the past 25 years and is
one of three owners of Shooters Post
& Transfer, a Philadelphia based
production facility.
“Every day we transfer 1/4"
production sound to our DV-40
for film transfer. It turns what
was once a slow, tedious sync
session into a fast easy job.
Once the field sound is on DVDRAM we no longer have to wait
for the audio to sync. It’s always
right there.”
Post Production
hours, minutes, seconds
& frames ahead of the rest.
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